Gunships waiting for Gaza-aid fleet

Monday

May 31, 2010 at 12:01 AMMay 31, 2010 at 11:21 AM

HAIFA, Israel - Israeli warships stalked a flotilla carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, including a Nobel laureate and a Holocaust survivor, as it headed for the Gaza Strip today, edging closer to a naval showdown on the high seas.

HAIFA, Israel - Israeli warships stalked a flotilla carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, including a Nobel laureate and a Holocaust survivor, as it headed for the Gaza Strip today, edging closer to a naval showdown on the high seas.

Huwaida Arraf, one of the organizers, said the six-ship flotilla began the journey from international waters off the coast of Cyprus yesterday afternoon. She said it expects to reach Gaza this afternoon.

"We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us," she said. "They are going to have to forcefully stop us."

After nightfall yesterday , three Israeli navy missile boats left their base in Haifa, steaming out to sea to confront the activists' ships.

Two hours later, Israel Radio broadcast a recording of one of the missile boats warning the flotilla not to approach Gaza.

"If you ignore this order and enter the blockaded area, the Israeli navy will be forced to take all the necessary measures in order to enforce this blockade," the radio message said.

The al-Jazeera satellite channel reported that the ships changed course to avoid a nighttime confrontation, preferring a daylight showdown for better publicity.

The flotilla, which includes three cargo ships and three passenger ships, is carrying materials that Israel bars from reaching Gaza, such as cement and other building materials. The activists said they also were carrying hundreds of electrical-powered wheelchairs, prefabricated homes and water purifiers.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said that permitted humanitarian aid confiscated from the boats will be transferred to Gaza. However, Israel would not transfer items banned under its blockade rules.

The flotilla bound for Gaza, carrying about 700 pro-Palestinian activists, is the largest to date.

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